Valve has announced a shift in its approach to updating Deadlock, the tactical multiplayer shooter that launched earlier this year. In a recent blog post, the company revealed that future updates will be “a little bit more spaced out” to allow the development team to refine their workflow and deliver higher-quality content.
Valve’s Announcement
Valve, known for its innovative games and player-focused approach, shared insights into the decision, emphasizing a desire to balance consistent support with thoughtful development. The blog post stated:
“We’ve decided to space out updates for Deadlock slightly more to improve our development process. This will allow us to better prioritize quality, address community feedback, and ensure each update enhances the game meaningfully.”
The move marks a significant departure from the game’s initial post-launch schedule, which saw frequent updates aimed at keeping the community engaged.
Why the Change?
Valve’s decision comes as the studio looks to strike a balance between meeting player expectations and maintaining a sustainable development pace. Several factors appear to have influenced the decision:
1. Quality Over Quantity
Frequent updates can sometimes lead to rushed features or unforeseen bugs. By spacing out updates, Valve aims to ensure each patch or new content addition is polished and impactful.
2. Community Feedback
The Deadlock player base has been vocal about the importance of addressing bugs, balancing issues, and introducing meaningful content. A slower update cadence allows Valve to thoroughly test changes and implement player suggestions.
3. Developer Well-Being
Sustainable development practices have become a focal point in the industry. Valve’s decision likely reflects an effort to avoid burnout and support a healthier work environment for their team.
